TYC conservator announces senior executive hirings

Smith is the assistant secretary of residential services at the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, where he oversees 15 state-operated and 17 contracted residential facilities. He also previously worked for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice and has 15 years of juvenile justice experience at all levels. He holds a bachelor's degree from Georgia State University.

Martinez (second from left) is currently the director of family initiatives, Child Support Division at the Texas Office of the Attorney General. She has managed juvenile justice and delinquency prevention programs and served as the Juvenile Justice Specialist for Texas at the Governor's Criminal Justice Division. She will begin with the agency in two weeks.

Royal (second from right) has served as a liaison to TYC, in the Governor's Budget, Planning and Policy Division. He served as a budget and policy advisor since 2004. He also is a former budget and performance analyst with the Legislative Budget Board and was Budget and Planning Supervisor for the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Alan "Chip" Walters (right), current superintendent of the Giddings State School, will become Smith's deputy. He has more than 20 years experience with TYC, beginning his career as juvenile corrections officer and then later serving as a case worker, program specialist, director of security and assistant superintendent. In the last 10 years, he has been superintendent at four other campuses.

TYC Deputy General Counsel Wade Phillips, who has managed residential operations temporarily since October of last year, will return to the General Counsel Division full time.

"I know we have a solid leadership team beginning to take shape," said Nedelkoff of his appointments.